Abstract: A tapered sleeve and fracturing head system for introducing fracturing fluid to a wellbore, while protecting a conveyance string from the erosive effects of the fracturing fluid is disclosed. A tapered sleeve has a top portion and a tapered downhole portion. The sleeve is fit to a main bore of a fracturing head by an upset at the top portion of the sleeve that engages a shoulder of the fracturing head. The sleeve intercepts, deflects and redirects introduced fracturing fluids downhole, preventing direct impingement of the fracturing fluid against the conveyance string. The main bore of the fracturing head may also be tapered at an angle substantial parallel to and along the length of the taper of the sleeve, to further improve the fluid dynamics of the fracturing fluid and further reduce the erosive effects of the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus (100) used to perforate a subterranean well. The perforating apparatus (100) includes a generally tubular gun carrier (106) and a charge holder (104) rotatably mounted within the gun carrier (106). At least one shaped charge (102) is mounted in the charge holder (104) and is operable to perforate the well upon detonation. A dynamically adjustable weight system (124) is operably associated to the charge holder (104). The dynamically adjustable weight system (124) is operable to adjust the center of gravity (120) of the charge holder (104) such that gravity will cause the charge holder (104) to rotate within the gun carrier (106) to position the at least one shaped charge (102) in a desired circumferential direction relative to the well prior to perforating.

Abstract: A method related to restarting a drilling process includes the steps of applying a surface torque to a drill string in a borehole, detecting signals related to one of a torque and a rotational speed experienced at a bottom hole assembly, initiating drilling fluid flow, and lowering a drill bit to a bottom of the borehole. The surface torque or the drilling fluid flow is maintained or changed based on the signals related to the torque or rotational speed.

Abstract: A wellhead is formed by extruding a plurality of tubular liners off of a mandrel into contact with an outer casing. The first tubular liner and mandrel are positioned within the wellbore with the tubular liner in an overlapping relationship with the outer casing. At least a portion of the tubular liner is extruded off of the mandrel into contact with the interior surface of the outer casing. The first tubular liner is extruded off of the mandrel by pressurizing an interior portion of the first tubular liner. Subsequent tubular liners are positioned in concentric overlapping relation and similarly extruded off of a mandrel into at least partial contact with the interior surface of the outer casing.

Abstract: A downhole system includes a deflector with a reaction surface that is engageable to a mill. The deflector is coupled to a motion mechanism that is activable to move the deflector generally along a longitudinal direction. During operation, the mill is engaged to a surrounding downhole structure, and the mill is rotated. As the mill cuts an opening in the downhole structure, the motion mechanism moves the deflector, which allows the mill to move with the deflector. A smooth motion is provided by the motion mechanism to enable a more accurate cutting of the downhole structure (e.g., casing or liner).

Abstract: A method of forming a cementitious plug in a well is disclosed. According to the method, a well is selected for treatment which lacks sufficient formation pressure to cause well fluid to naturally flow to the surface of the well. In addition, a formation penetrated by the well has unobstructed access between it and the surface. Having thus selected a well for treatment, a liquid slurry comprising a cementitious material, whose density is greater than the density of the well fluid, is introduced into the well. The slurry is permitted to drive the well fluid into the formation. Sufficient slurry is added to the well to fill the well to the surface. The slurry is then permitted to set into a hardened mass.

Abstract: A system that is usable in a subsea well includes a tubular string that extends from a surface platform toward the sea floor. The string has an upper end and a lower remote end that is located closer to the sea floor than to the platform. At least one sensor of the system is located near the remote end of the string to monitor deployment of subsea equipment.

Abstract: A wellbore pump comprises a plunger having a passage which may be open or closed by a valve operated by a piston which is biased in the open position by a spring of selected strength such that the wellbore pressure may overcome the spring to close the valve when the accumulated hydrostatic pressure reaches a certain value. When the valve closes the reservoir pressure forces the plunger to the surface and causes the accumulated liquids to be pumped out of the wellbore.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated fluid metering apparatus provides discharge of a known volume of fluid to an actuator of a well tool. In one described embodiment, the fluid metering apparatus is connected to a hydraulic input of a well tool actuator. Discharge of the known volume of fluid to the actuator input causes a piston of the actuator to displace a known distance, thereby producing a known increment of actuation of the well tool. The discharge of the known volume of fluid may be repeated to produce a desired total degree of actuation of the well tool.

Abstract: An improved coiled tubing directional drilling method comprises: providing a bent housing which is rotatably coupled to the coiled tubing, rotating the drill bit, and rotating the bent housing. Apparatus for achieving the method comprises: a rotary connection between the coiled tubing and the bent housing and means for rotating the bent housing relative to the coiled tubing and to the drill bit. A fluid pressure-operated clutch enables alternate rotation and locking of the bent housing. Preferably, a first downhole motor rotates the drill bit and a second downhole motor rotates the bent housing through the clutch or alternately a speed reducer permits the bent housing to contra-rotate slowly under reactive torque developed by the rotating drilling bit.

Abstract: A lubricant ejector used downhole has a reservoir holding replenishment lubricant, and it includes a driver to eject at least a portion of the lubricant. A flow coupler connected to the ejector channels lubricant to a connected apparatus. One specific ejector includes a hollow rotor of a downhole motor, and a specific flow coupler includes a cross-channel diverter that directs lubricant from the hollow interior of the rotor to a bearing pack and that directs drilling fluid, used to drive the motor and create pressure that moves a piston in the rotor, from outside the rotor to inside a passageway through the bearing pack. A method includes injecting lubricant from a reservoir in the downhole motor into the bearing pack as the downhole motor operates.

Abstract: An orientation and locator system including a receiver sub disposed in and installed with a casing string in the borehole. The receiver sub has azimuth and depth profiles for positively locating a predetermined position within the borehole. The profiles are within the inside diameter of the casing string and do not restrict the flowbore of the casing. The orientation and locator system further includes a coupling sub attached to a well tool and adapted to engage the receiver sub to orient and locate the well tool within the borehole for conducting a well operation. The coupling sub has an alignment key and a plurality of dogs for engaging the azimuth and depth profiles, respectively. Further, the coupling sub may pass completely through the receiver sub en route to another receiver sub located in the casing string further downhole. The coupling sub and receiver sub are configured such that they may be engaged whether the coupling sub is passing upstream or downstream through the casing string.